Director, SOX Assessment

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The SOX Governance team within Controllership plays a critical role in supporting the enterprise by developing and executing a risk-based plan to assess and enhance the company’s internal controls over financial reporting. The team maintainsa robust governance framework to ensure compliance with the company’s 2nd line objectives and requirements of the Sarbanes Oxley Act. 

The team is looking for a Director of SOX Assessment to lead a diverse team of high-performing professionals to ensure timely identification, assessment and resolution of SOX risk events and issues in order to minimize impact and prevent recurrence through effective remediation. The role involves extensive collaboration with multiple partners across numerous business units, functional areas, and geographies. 

The Director, SOX Assessment will:

• Lead the review, assessment, and escalation of SOX control deficiencies to the AXP Deficiency Evaluation Committee and Disclosure Committee.  Support the certification of the CEO/CFO on the effectiveness of the Internal Control Environment. 
• Expand the integration and use of automation and analytics to drive efficiencies in the identification of issues and provide value-add insights into the internal control environment, including documented monitoring of other data sources (e.g., audit results, reg exams, etc.)
• Create a formalized process in tandem with the company’s increased focus on root cause to investigate and conduct root cause analysis to address repeated issue types and perform quality assurance on documentation of issue/ORE type, severity/impact, and investigate as necessary to understand and address root cause
• Oversee the remediation process, including tracking progress, validate resolution efficacy, and communicate status updates to stakeholders to embed accountability along the process, collaborating with Control Management teams as necessary
• Analyze trends in issues and events to identify potential systemic risks or control weaknesses within Finance processes
• Proactively address areas of opportunity between 2nd line framework policies and needs of the SOX issue management program, and develop and document key principles to provide more effective upfront  assessment of events
• Help drive elevated awareness and accountability for SOX across the enterprise through engagement with Control Management teams and 2nd line, as well as the use of C&C metrics 
• Engage with key stakeholders, including business unit leaders, 2nd line, and external auditors to facilitate effective issue management and resolution
• Prepare and present reports on issue status, trends, and outcomes for quarterly BUR’s, senior management and governance committees
• Assist in the development of SOX compliance guidelines and procedures and further integrate the SOX assessment process within the overall SOX governance program to drive efficiencies and insights

Required Qualifications: 

• 6+ Years experience in operational risk management (e.g., within Risk and/or Internal Audit function) Understanding of critical operational risk management lifecycle activities
• Strong understanding of financial reporting risk and requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley act as well as internal control frameworks (e.g., COSO)
• Analytical skills with the ability to identify control deficiencies and recommend improvements, as needed
• Excellent project management, communication, and interpersonal skills, with an ability to interact and obtain buy-in from senior BU/tech counterparts
• Experience and understanding of application controls
• Expertise in process governance, with a track record of establishing and overseeing robust decision-making processes that align with policies, regulatory frameworks, and/or operational standards
• Demonstrated history and ability to manage large teams, spread over geographies and with varying backgrounds

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Business, Risk Mgmt., or related field; advanced degrees (e.g., MBA, MSc) or certifications are advantageous
• Experience in at least one of the following:
  • Scoping, prioritizing, and support remediation of SOX issues
  • Investigating and conducting root cause analysis to address repeated operational risk issues
  • Performing quality assurance on documentation of operational risk issues and events
  • Overseeing the remediation process for operational risk issues and events
  • Documenting and maintaining records of SOX issues and events to ensure transparency and accountability
  • Supporting and overseeing the E2E issue resolution process, embedding accountability and ensuring lessons learned are integrated into future operational risk management practices
• Experience in financial reporting, accounting or auditing within a public company environment is strongly preferred

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Salary Range: $130,000.00 to $205,000.00 annually + bonus + equity (if applicable) + benefits

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we’ll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.

We back our colleagues and their loved ones with benefits and programs that support their holistic well-being. That means we prioritize their physical, financial, and mental health through each stage of life. Benefits include:

• Competitive base salaries 
• Bonus incentives 
• 6% Company Match on retirement savings plan 
• Free financial coaching and financial well-being support 
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits 
• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need 
• 20+ weeks paid parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender, offered for pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy 
• Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location) 
• Free and confidential counseling support through our Healthy Minds program 
• Career development and training opportunities

For a full list of Team Amex benefits, visit our Colleague Benefits Site.

American Express is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law.

We back our colleagues with the support they need to thrive, professionally and personally. That's why we have Amex Flex, our enterprise working model that provides greater flexibility to colleagues while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite, in a hybrid model (combination of in-office and virtual days) or fully virtually.

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